K-3 Visa Lawyer in London

Nonimmigrant Visas for Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Through the K-3 nonimmigrant visa process, a U.S. citizen can shorten the amount of time that the individual must spend away from his or her foreign-citizen husband or wife. This process allows for the foreign-citizen spouse to obtain a K-3 visa overseas and then to use the visa to come to the United States. In order for applicants to be eligible for K-3 visas, they must have their U.S. citizen spouses file immigrant visa petitions on their behalf, and those petitions must be pending approval. For this reason, people applying for K-3 visas will need to meet certain immigrant visa requirements. K-3 visa applicants are also able to apply to bring their eligible minor children with them to the U.S. on K-4 visas.

Living in a separate country from one's spouse can be a very challenging experience. Filing for K-3 visas can help married couples and their families reunite while they work toward establishing permanent residency in the U.S. It is best for individuals facing this type of situation to consult with a skilled US Immigration Lawyer in London who can help them make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Do you need a lawyer for your K-3 Visa case in London? The American Immigration Law Office LTD provides this type of guidance for those living in the London area and throughout the United Kingdom.

Who Qualifies as a Spouse?

A foreign-citizen individual seeking a K-3 visa must be a U.S. citizen's legally wedded spouse. Eligible spouses will need to show proof of their relationship when applying for these visas.

Steps for Applying for a K-3 Visa

The first step in applying for a K-3 visa is for the U.S.-citizen spouse (also referred to as the U.S. citizen sponsor) to file Form I-130, which is a Petition for Alien Relative. After obtaining a receipt and a case number for the filed I-130 but before approval of the I-130, the U.S. citizen will also be required to file Form I-129F, which is a Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) on behalf of his or her spouse and any stepchildren. Once approved, the fiancé petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) to be processed. From here, the situation can take two different turns:

1. The I-129F petition is received by the NVC before the I-130 petition is received.—In this case, the NVC will process the I-129F petition and then send it to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where the marriage occurred (or in the foreign-citizen spouse's country, if the marriage occurred in the U.S.). This is where the spouse outside the U.S. will be further processed for the K-3 visa. He or she will have to undergo a multi-step process, which includes a medical examination, an interview and fingerprinting. Certain documents will need to be brought to the interview.
2. The USCIS approves the I-130 before the I-129F.—The K-3 visa is no longer needed, and therefore the case for that application is closed. The NVC will instead instruct both spouses about how to get the IR-1 (or CR-1) immigrant visa processed.

Importance of an Experienced US Immigration Lawyer London

You could end up delaying the processing of your K-3 nonimmigrant visa if you fail to follow the application steps correctly or if you provide information that is incomplete. By working with an experienced and capable legal professional from the American Immigration Law Office LTD, you can make sure that you are following the correct procedures in applying for a K-3 visa. Furthermore, having an attorney with valuable experience in immigration law by your side can help you better anticipate issues that could potentially serve as barriers in the process. Don't hesitate to get the help you and your family needs. The firm can also help you with a number of other family-based immigration matters. Are you searching for a lawyer for a K-3 Visa immigration case in London? Call the American Immigration Law Office LTD today!